Tour de France 2021
3383km of cycling over 21 stages; including 2 individual time trials and 6 mountain stages.
The buzz, the hype, the biggest annual event in cycling!
Be part of it!
Join us
Come and join the fun from 2nd - 9th July 2021 and take in the Alpine stages of the 108th edition of the Tour de France. We'll ride parts of this year's stages and other TDF classic routes, as well as finding the time to cheer on the teams along the way.
This week is reserved for private groups consisting of 4 or more friends, club-mates or family members.
Your week in numbers
- 6 days in total of epic, supported Alpine cycling
- 3 days of vehicle assisted rides, taking in stages 8, 9 and 10 to the Tour de France! (2 mountain passes and 1 stage depart!)
- 3 days of supported riding over classic cols such as the PSB, the Chaussy and the Madeleine
- 1 return airport transfer
- 7 nights 'home from home' accommodation
- 7 breakfasts and afternoon teas
- 6 nights tasty catering and wine
- 1 TDF experience you'll never forget!
What's included
- Free Geneva airport transfer
- 7 nights comfortable accommodation
- 7 breakfast and afternoon tea
- 6 evening meals with wine
- 6 days of vehicle supported cycling rides
- Our expertise; see the best of the tour, ride the best Alpine routes
Not included
- Flights
- Bike hire/carriage
- Lunches
- Evening meal on team's day off
- Insurance
- Day trips or other activities
Trip overview
Sure, you could sit at home on the sofa and watch the TDF on television, but you probably spent most of 2020 doing that. 2021 is about getting up and out. About dusting ourselves off and getting going again.
Say no to the sofa! Come and join us and be part of the action.
We have created a week that allows you to experience the roads, the sights and the sounds of the greatest race on earth from the saddle!
We've taken care of the logistics. Great food, hospitality, airport transfers and expert local knowledge coupled with full vehicle support. So all you need to do is turn the pedals, relish the freedom and enjoy some of the most iconic riding on earth.
Experience some of the classic Alpine cols:
- Col de la Colombiere
- Cormet de Roselend
- Col de Petit St Bernard
- Col de la Madeleine
- Col du Chaussy
- Lacets du Montvernier
- Col des Aravis
Book now
Contact us on +44 (0)20 7191 1120 or email tagride@thealpinegeneration.com to discuss itineraries and to book your week. It's that simple!
Your trip in detail
Friday 2nd July - Welcome and set up ride
Your transfer will depart Geneva Airport mid-afternoon and deliver you and your bikes to our base, Chalet James in La Tania (approx 2 hours).
Our friendly team will help you settle in, and you can enjoy a welcome drink and light refreshments before setting the bikes up. Once we’re set up, we’ll give the bikes (and ourselves!) a warm-up and equipment test on the winding road up to Courchevel 1850. From here we’ll return to Chalet James, prepped and ready for the week ahead.
Saturday 3rd July - Stage 8 - Oyonnax to Le Grand Bornand.
After a good nights sleep its straight into the action. The Col de la Colombiere and stage 8 of the TDF await.
We transfer to Flumet in the beautiful Val d'Arly. From here it's on the bikes and up over the Col des Aravis sitting at just under 1500m.
Descending the other side we reach Le Grand Bornand and the foot of the Col de la Colombiere. A 12km climb with a pleasant gradient that allows you to make the most of the stunning views before ramping up in the last few Kms. From here we will cheer on the riders as they cross the summit.
Once the circus has passed we enjoy the descent back to Le Grand Bornard and the stage finish. Before pushing on over the Aravis and flowing down the other side, on to Ugine and the transfer back to La Tania.
Ride stats
Distance: 87km
Ascent: 2285m
Key climb - Col de Colombiѐre
Length of climb: 12km
Start altitude: 891m
Summit altitude: 1613m
Elevation gain: 722m
Average gradient: 4.3%
Max gradient: 10%
Sunday 4th July - Stage 9 - Cluses to Tignes
After starting the day with our usual cooked breakfast, its a short transfer to the riverside town of Aime. From here we cruise along the cycle path to Bourg St Maurice and the foot of the wonderful Cormet de Roselend.
Leaving Bourg we climb on, passing through the quaint villages before entering the tough hairpin section and the welcome shade of the trees.
Pushing on, the road opens out to the valley and a flattish 2km. Time to catch your breath and take in the amazing views of the Valley des Glaciers and Les Chapieux. Then its the final push, 7-8km of sweeping open roads at a steady gradient leading to the top of the col and Beautiful Lake Roselend.
And here we take a rest and its the riders turn up and over the Cormet, before we turn around to descend to Bourg and return home.
Standing at 1968m, the Cormet de Roselend is a magnificent climb with a compelling TDF history. 13 passes have seen leaders crumble and bow out, spectacular crashes and a cancelled stage due to biblical weather all set to this breathtaking backdrop. Despite, or maybe because of this, it is one of our favourite climbs in the Alps.
Ride stats
Distance: 62km
Ascent: 1500m
Key climb - Cormet de Roselend
Length of climb: 19.4km
Start altitude: 822
Summit altitude: 1967m
Elevation gain: 1149m
Average gradient: 5.9%
Max gradient: 12%
Monday 5th July – Tour rest Day. Col de Petit St Bernard
A rest day for the tour, but a chance for us to take on another classic climb, and maybe bump into the odd team, out on a recovery ride! All the while enjoying the hustle and bustle the tour brings with it.
Starting out from Bourg, the Petit St Bernard is a very different beast from the Cormet. Although long, the gradient is steady and the road surface good. Allowing you to take in the beautiful views across the valley to Les Arcs and Tignes in the distance. After 22km we pass through the Savoie ski station of La Rosère at 1850m. From here its is a further 7kms to the famous St Bernard Statue. The final km brings us past the hospice and to Italy at the top of the col. Enjoy a coffee and a bite of lunch at the top in either France or Italy to give the day an international feel.
And when it is time to turn and head for home, the open road and great surface allow you to make the most of the exhilarating descent.
Ride stats
Distance: 90km
Ascent: 1382m
Key climb - Col du Petit Saint-Bernard
Length of climb: 29.9km
Start altitude: 809m
Summit altitude: 2190m
Elevation gain: 1382m
Average gradient: 4.6%
Max gradient: 8%
Tuesday 6th July – Stage 10 - Albertville to Valence
On Tuesday we head to Albertville to take in the Depart of stage 10. And see the riders and teams off as they head south.
And then it's our turn. We hop on the bikes and take on the Col de Tamie. At 907m high it may not be the highest col in the Alps but still offers up 600m of climbing. A flowing descent to Faverges follows with stunning views to Lake Annecy.
At Faverges we turn and follow the beautiful cycle path back to Albertville then the local road to Moutier.
Ride stats
Distance: 80km
Ascent: 850m
Key climb - Col de Tamie
Length of climb: 10.2km
Start altitude: 316m
Summit altitude: 907m
Elevation gain: 591m
Average gradient: 5.8%
Max gradient: 8.7%
Wednesday 7th July – Day off / Recovery ride
Everyone needs a rest, or do they?
For those that do want a rest; relax by the pool in town, explore the 3 valleys by foot, pony trek, paraglide, the choice is yours.
For those that do not want to rest; how about taking on one of our local rides?
The Pralognan Loop with beautiful balcony roads and quiet climbs.
The Saint Martin Old Road towards Val Thoren.
Or over the tough, Col de la Loze. The Finish point for last years stage 17. The choice is yours.
Ride stats
Distance: 77km
Ascent: 1750m
Key climb - Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Length of climb: 13.7km
Start altitude: 853m
Summit altitude: 1431m
Elevation gain: 578m
Average gradient: 4.5%
Max gradient: 8.5%
Thursday 8th July - Lacets, Chaussy and the Col de la Madeleine
And to finish the week off is a 3 for 1. A classic TDF climb in the Madeleine, the always stunning Lacets de Montvernier and the lesser-known gem of the Col du Chaussy.
We will start the day with a short transfer to La Chambre in the Maurienne Valley. A short warm-up of 7-8kms brings us to the foot of the Lacets and the 18 hairpins leading to the village of Montvernier. Once through the village, take a left and on to the Col du Chaussy. The Chaussy has it all, beautiful forests, open alpine pastures and amazing views of the Maurienne and the Glandon in the distance; for us, it is one of the best views in the alps. You can see why it is one of our favourite climbs.
And then to finish off, the mighty Madeleine, over the top and homeward bound.
Ride stats
Distance: 78km
Ascent: 2225m
Key climb - Col de la Madeleine
Length of climb: 19.2km
Start altitude: 407m
Summit altitude: 1999m
Elevation gain: 1529m
Average gradient: 8%
Max gradient: 12%
Prices
4 Guests
€1350pp
5-6 Guests
€1250pp
7-9 Guests
€1150pp
10+ Guests
€1050pp
